Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser

Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser

Efficacy87/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser”
Source: Walgreens

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)2%
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate + 3 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser”
Source: Walgreens

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: benzalkonium chloride.

The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people sodium methyl cocoyl taurate.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together~10–15%
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~5.1–7.6%
Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleateEffect: High~0.5–1.2%
Benzalkonium chlorideEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritating~0.05–0.1%
Exfoliation
Side benefit · Salicylic acid
Works well

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High2%
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~5.1–7.6%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.9–1.35%est.
Benzalkonium chlorideHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~10–15%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Salicylic acid2%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~10–15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~5.1–7.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
Sodium chloride~2.9–4.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Glycerin~2.1–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Sodium hydrolyzed potato starch dodecenylsuccinate~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Parfum~0.9–1.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Sodium hydroxide~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate
Panthenol~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
C12-15 alkyl lactate~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Disodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Benzalkonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent (detergent). Also used as a preservative. Can be irritating

More about Benzalkonium chloride
Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Water, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Sodium chloride, Glycerin, Sodium hydrolyzed potato starch dodecenylsuccinate, Parfum, Sodium hydroxide, Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, Panthenol, C12-15 alkyl lactate, Disodium edta, Cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Benzalkonium chloride

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
NeutrogenaAcne Proofing Gel CleanserYOUR PRODUCTOleHenriksenDaily D-Clog Pore-Clearing Salicylic Acid CleanserThe INKEY List CASalicylic Acid CleanserCeraVeRenewing SA Face Cleanser for Normal Cleanser
Match—91%91%89%
Price—$33.77$12.07$9.89
Shared key ingredients—4 of 84 of 84 of 8
Key difference—Betaine SalicylateBetaineNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.